ICD-10 Codes for Welding-Related Injuries or Conditions
The most appropriate ICD-10 codes for welding-related injuries depend on the specific type of injury, with the most common being foreign body in eye (T15.0), corneal burn (T26.1), and flash burn to eye (H16.13).
Common Welding-Related Eye Injuries and Their ICD-10 Codes
Welding activities frequently result in eye injuries, which account for approximately 25% of all workers' compensation claims among welders 1. The most common welding-related eye injuries include:
- Foreign body in eye: T15.0 (Foreign body in cornea)
- Corneal burns: T26.1 (Burn of cornea and conjunctival sac)
- Flash burns/Welder's flash: H16.13 (Photokeratitis)
- Radiation-related conjunctivitis: H10.89 (Other conjunctivitis)
Welding-Related Respiratory Conditions
Welding fumes exposure can lead to respiratory conditions that may be coded as:
- Metal fume fever: T56.9 (Toxic effect of unspecified metal)
- Pneumoconiosis due to welding fumes: J63.4 (Siderosis)
- Occupational asthma: J45.909 with Z57.2 (Unspecified asthma, uncomplicated, with occupational exposure to dust)
Welding-Related Burns and Injuries
Other common welding injuries include:
- Thermal burns: T23.0 (Burn of hand, first degree)
- Electrical burns: T20-T25 with appropriate fourth character for degree and location
- Ultraviolet radiation exposure: L56.8 (Other specified acute skin changes due to ultraviolet radiation)
External Cause Codes
To fully document welding-related injuries, external cause codes should be added:
- W25-W31: Contact with sharp objects, tools, and machinery
- Y93.C9: Activity, other involving arts and handcrafts (includes welding)
- Y99.0: Civilian activity done for income or pay
Documentation Requirements
For proper coding of welding-related injuries, documentation should include:
- Specific anatomical location of injury
- Nature and severity of the injury
- Causative mechanism (e.g., foreign body, radiation, chemical exposure)
- Whether the injury is work-related
- Use or non-use of protective equipment
Risk Factors for Welding Injuries
Studies show several factors increase the risk of welding-related injuries 2, 3:
- Age less than 30 years (OR = 5.19)
- Lack of institutional training (OR = 0.10 for those with training)
- Nonuse of eye personal protective equipment (AOR = 1.86)
- No training on proper use of protective equipment (AOR = 2.17)
Electric/arc welding is associated with significantly higher injury rates (73.7%) compared to gas welding (9.7%) 2.
Coding Pitfalls to Avoid
- Failing to specify laterality (right, left, or bilateral) when applicable
- Not including external cause codes to identify the activity as welding
- Missing combination codes when multiple related conditions exist
- Overlooking the occupational nature of the injury (Z codes)
Proper documentation and coding are essential not only for accurate billing but also for tracking occupational injury patterns, implementing preventive measures, and conducting research on occupational safety.